Queens Civil Litigation Attorney

Trusted and Skilled Civil Litigation Attorney Helping Clients near Queens, NY

There are a wide variety of situations in which one party may pursue a civil lawsuit against another person or organization. These cases are often very complex, and they may involve money owed by one party to another, personal injuries, or financial damages experienced by small businesses due to breach of contract. If you are planning to pursue civil litigation to recover money from someone else, or if you need help defending against a civil lawsuit, you should work with an experienced attorney who can provide dedicated representation both inside and outside the courtroom.

At The Charrington Firm, we understand the complex legal issues involved in civil litigation, and we provide litigation support to individuals and small businesses. Attorney Karen Charrington is a litigator with over 20 years of experience, and she can help you determine the best steps you can take to achieve success in your case. She will help you understand your rights and the procedures that will be followed, and she will advocate for your interests and work with you to reach the best possible outcome to your situation.

Legal Representation Throughout the Civil Litigation Process

Civil cases may be heard in the Civil Court of New York City, the District Courts of Suffolk County or Nassau County, or in City Courts, Town Courts, or Village Courts throughout the state of New York. There are specific procedures that must be followed during these cases, and a civil lawsuit will typically involve the following steps:

1. Complaint and summons - A plaintiff will initiate a civil lawsuit by filing a complaint in the applicable court. This complaint will detail the basis for the lawsuit and the remedies the plaintiff is requesting, such as payment of money owed, compensation for injuries suffered, or requirements to meet contractual obligations. A summons will then be served to the defendant along with a notice that they must respond to the complaint within a certain period of time (usually 20 days).
2. Answer - The defendant must file a response to the complaint within the specified time period. Failure to do so could result in a default judgment in favor of the plaintiff. The defendant's response may answer specific allegations made by the plaintiff, and it may also include a counterclaim against the plaintiff.
3. Discovery - The parties will be given the chance to gather information pertinent to the lawsuit. Each party's attorney may obtain information from the other party through written requests known as interrogatories, requests to admit or deny certain claims, or requests for production of documents. Attorneys may also conduct depositions in which witnesses will be questioned under oath to obtain testimony relevant to the case.
4. Pretrial motions - Before a civil trial begins, either party may make requests to the court. These may include procedural motions that address how matters will be handled during the case. A defendant may also file a motion to dismiss because they do not believe the plaintiff's claims are valid, or either party may file a motion for summary judgment based on the claim that none of the facts related to the case are being disputed, and a trial would be unnecessary to reach a decision.
5. Trial - If a case proceeds to trial, the parties' attorneys will each argue their case before a judge or jury, and they may present evidence and call witnesses. At the conclusion of the trial, a judgment will be made in favor of the defendant or the plaintiff, and this judgment may compel one party to pay damages to the other or take certain actions.
6. Appeal - If the losing party is unsatisfied with the judgment, it may be possible to appeal the decision based on errors that were committed during the trial or an incorrect interpretation of the law.

Contact Our Civil Litigation Attorney

Whether you are the plaintiff or the defendant in a civil lawsuit, The Charrington Firm can provide you with legal representation from the beginning to the end of your case. We will work with you to negotiate a settlement when possible, but we are fully prepared to advocate on your behalf in a trial, and we can help you appeal an unfavorable judgment. We have helped many clients achieve positive results in civil cases, and we will fight to protect your rights during the legal process. Contact us at 718-528-4422 to arrange a free consultation.